Yan Nok Lau1, Joseph Ng1, Shan Yee Lee1, Lam Chin Li1, Cheuk Man Kwan1, Sin Ming Fan1, Bernard Pui Lam Leung2, Chi Ngai Lo3,4. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2. Cluster of Health and Social Sciences, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore, Singapore. 3. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. christopher.lo@singaporetech.edu.sg. 4. Cluster of Health and Social Sciences, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore, Singapore. christopher.lo@singaporetech.edu.sg.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovitis, activation of synoviocytes and infiltration of adaptive immune cells leads to synovial hyperplasia and joint swelling. Under the elevated extra-neural pressure, free nerve endings release neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and substance P, thus promoting neurogenic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of therapeutic neural mobilization (NM) exercises targeting the nervous system on disease impact in RA patients. METHODS: A total of 21 RA patients were randomized into NM (n = 11) and control (n = 10) groups. NM group patients performed NM exercises targeting the median, musculocutaneous, femoral, and saphenous nerve, as well as the entire nervous system twice daily for 4-8 weeks. Control RA patients performed gentle joint mobilization exercises targeting the same joints. Primary outcome was the change in pre-/post-treatment score in the validated Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID). Secondary outcome was erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline. No adverse events were observed and compliance was over 90%. Post-treatment, favorable changes were observed in the NM group RAID score: -5.1 vs. -0.8; weighted RAID score: -0.79 vs. -0.15. ESR was reduced in the NM group, albeit non-significantly. Regarding the RAID score domains, the NM group demonstrated significant improvements in pain and coping. CONCLUSION: The current data indicate a beneficial effect of NM exercises on pain and self-efficacy in our RA patients. Larger clinical studies are warranted to determine the clinical effectiveness of NM as a treatment for pain for RA patients and simultaneously address immune and neuropeptide modulation through NM.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovitis, activation of synoviocytes and infiltration of adaptive immune cells leads to synovial hyperplasia and joint swelling. Under the elevated extra-neural pressure, free nerve endings release neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and substance P, thus promoting neurogenic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of therapeutic neural mobilization (NM) exercises targeting the nervous system on disease impact in RApatients. METHODS: A total of 21 RApatients were randomized into NM (n = 11) and control (n = 10) groups. NM group patients performed NM exercises targeting the median, musculocutaneous, femoral, and saphenous nerve, as well as the entire nervous system twice daily for 4-8 weeks. Control RApatients performed gentle joint mobilization exercises targeting the same joints. Primary outcome was the change in pre-/post-treatment score in the validated Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID). Secondary outcome was erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline. No adverse events were observed and compliance was over 90%. Post-treatment, favorable changes were observed in the NM group RAID score: -5.1 vs. -0.8; weighted RAID score: -0.79 vs. -0.15. ESR was reduced in the NM group, albeit non-significantly. Regarding the RAID score domains, the NM group demonstrated significant improvements in pain and coping. CONCLUSION: The current data indicate a beneficial effect of NM exercises on pain and self-efficacy in our RApatients. Larger clinical studies are warranted to determine the clinical effectiveness of NM as a treatment for pain for RApatients and simultaneously address immune and neuropeptide modulation through NM.
Authors: Nadia M T Roodenrijs; Attila Hamar; Melinda Kedves; György Nagy; Jacob M van Laar; Désirée van der Heijde; Paco M J Welsing Journal: RMD Open Date: 2021-01
Authors: György Nagy; Nadia M T Roodenrijs; Désirée van der Heijde; Jacob M van Laar; Paco M J Welsing; Melinda Kedves; Attila Hamar; Marlies C van der Goes; Alison Kent; Margot Bakkers; Polina Pchelnikova; Etienne Blaas; Ladislav Senolt; Zoltan Szekanecz; Ernest H Choy; Maxime Dougados; Johannes Wg Jacobs; Rinie Geenen; Johannes Wj Bijlsma; Angela Zink; Daniel Aletaha; Leonard Schoneveld; Piet van Riel; Sophie Dumas; Yeliz Prior; Elena Nikiphorou; Gianfranco Ferraccioli; Georg Schett; Kimme L Hyrich; Ulf Mueller-Ladner; Maya H Buch; Iain B McInnes Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2021-08-18 Impact factor: 19.103